Landmark disability rights treaty comes into force across Africa

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has announced that the African Disability Protocol (ADP) is now legally binding across Africa.

The legislation, which was enacted on 7 June 2024, means that more than 80 million people with disabilities living in African countries will have much-needed legal protection. The push for ratification follows years of campaigning led by Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign, in partnership with local organisations of people with disabilities.

The ADP is the first Pan-African human rights treaty that specifically addresses forms of discrimination affecting people with disabilities on the continent, such as harmful practices, beliefs and superstitions.

It builds on the existing United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), but unlike the UNCRPD, the ADP addresses the specific and unique forms of discrimination that affect the huge population of people with disabilities in Africa. Notably, it is the only international human rights charter that expressly recognises and outlines the discrimination faced by people with albinism and the attacks they face.

Grace Antwi-Atsu, Sightsavers’ senior advocacy lead, said: “We’re delighted this important human rights charter has finally come into force. It has been a long journey – but this is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive society where people with disabilities are protected by specific laws which cater to their needs.”

The Republic of Congo became the 15th country to ratify the protocol, joining Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Kenya, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, South Africa, Rwanda and Uganda.

Grace said: “We applaud the governments that have adopted the ADP as they truly recognise the rights of persons with disabilities. We now call on member states of the African Union who are yet to ratify to speedily take the necessary steps to ratify it for the truly inclusive Africa that we want.”

The protocol will ensure that African Union member countries have a duty to create and enact disability-specific laws and policies in line with the treaty. It will also allow citizens to hold their governments to account.

Sightsavers’ Equal World campaign works alongside disability campaigners in 13 countries including the African Union Commission, the African Disability Forum, the Africa Disability Alliance and the African Union for the Blind. These organisations call on their governments to ratify the ADP and protect the rights of people with disabilities across the continent.